San Diego County Jobless Rate Drops

Nonfarm employment up by 2,600 jobs over the month and up 9,200 over the year

The unemployment rate in San Diego County dropped to 8.7 percent in April — down from March’s 9.6 percent — the state Employment Development Department reported today. California’s jobless rate was 10.5 percent and the nation’s was 7.7 percent for the same period.

Between March 2012 and April 2012 — Total nonfarm employment increased from 1,236,300 to 1,238,900, a gain of 2,600 jobs. Agricultural employment gained 300 jobs, or 3.1 percent. Professional and business services reported the greatest month-over increase, adding 1,400 jobs. Administrative, support, and waster services (down 100) offset a gain of 1,500 jobs in professional, scientific, and technical services. Employment in management of companies and enterprises remained unchanged over the month. Five other nonfarm sectors also posted month-over job growth, but the most significant gains came from leisure and hospitality (up 1,300) and financial activities (up 1,000). Four sectors recorded job losses. The most notable came from government (down 1,100) and manufacturing (down 900).

Between April 2011 and April 2012 — Total nonfarm employment gained 9,200 jobs, or 0.7 percent. Agricultural employment declined by 800 jobs, or 7.5 percent. Educational and health services reported the greatest year-over gain, adding 5,500 jobs. Health care and social assistance (up 3,900) accounted for roughly 71 percent of the job growth in this sector. Educational services added 1,600 jobs. Four other sectors also gained jobs over the year: professional and business services (up 4,800); trade, transportation, and utilities (up 3,400); leisure and hospitality (up 1,800); and financial activities (up 1,000). Five nonfarm sectors posted year-over job losses. The most significant came from government (down 3,100) and manufacturing (down 2,400).

USS San Diego to be Commissioned on Saturday

The Navy on Saturday will commission the newest San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego during a 10 a.m. ceremony. The ship is named for the city, principal homeport of the Pacific fleet. Three previous ships have carried the name — the armored cruiser named in 1914, the World War II-era cruiser commissioned in 1942 and the combat stores ship commissioned in 1969. Adm. Mark Ferguson, vice chief of naval operations, will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Additional remarks will be given by Mayor Jerry Sanders; Sean J. Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy (research, development and acquisition); Vice Adm. Richard W. Hunt, commander Naval Surface Forces; Maj. Gen. Ronald Bailey, commanding general, 1st Marine Division; and Rear Adm. David H. Lewis, program executive officer – ships. Linda Winter, wife of former Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter, is serving as the ship’s sponsor. The principal mission of San Antonio-class ships is to deploy combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades. Cmdr. Kevin P. Meyers, a native of Baltimore, is the commanding officer of the ship, leading a crew of approximately 377 officers and enlisted personnel. The USS San Diego will be homeported in San Diego. The commissioning will be at the Navy Pier, 910 North Harbor Drive.

PERSONNEL MOVES ____________________________________

San Diego — Ben Lieberman has been named executive chef at the Bali Hai Restaurant, tapped to lead the 30-member culinary team at the Shelter Island dining spot. Lieberman previously was chef de cuisine at Burlap and the chef de cuisine at Seersucker in Downtown. His other culinary positions included chef de cuisine at the Hyatt Islandia and stints at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant and Spago at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and Katsuya in Los Angeles. He is a graduate of the College of Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University.

Loker Business Center Fully Leased

Loker Business Center in Carlsbad has been 100 percent leased, reports Cassidy Turley San Diego. SFT Carlsbad LLC, dba Rock N Roll Sushi, signed a 10-year lease valued at $633,476 for 1,585 square feet of space. Loker Business Center is located at 2708 Palomar Airport Road and totals approximately 34,500 square feet. Andrew Peterson, Bruce Schiff, Phil Lyons and Chad Iafrate of Cassidy Turley are the leasing team for Loker Business Center. The team represented both the lessor, Scott Snyder, and the lessee, Rock N Roll Sushi, in this transaction.